Rains Delay Trout Stocking in Guadalupe River

Update — Dec. 28, 2004: The stocking of 4,429 trout below Canyon Dam on the Guadalupe River Dec. 29, 2004, is postponed because of dangerously high water. Flow is currently 1,600 cubic feet per second. Trout will be stocked the morning of Dec. 31, 2004, when flow, according to the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, will be reduced to 900 cubic feet per second. Normal stocking locations will be used.Update — Dec. 8, 2004: The trout stocking for the Canyon Tailrace, scheduled for Dec. 17, is rescheduled for Jan. 21, 2005, because of high releases from Canyon Reservoir. AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is delaying the stocking of rainbow trout in the Canyon Tailrace along the Guadalupe River until at least mid-December, due to high water flow.

The stocking site is among the most popular of the 100-plus Texas water bodies that annually receive hatchery-raised rainbow trout during the department’s winter trout stocking effort. Tentatively, Canyon Tailrace is scheduled to receive its first shipment of trout on Dec. 17, according to Todd Engeling, TPWD hatchery program director.

TPWD has been stocking rainbow trout in small urban lakes, state park lakes and popular river tailraces each winter since the 1970s, providing Texans a simple and economical opportunity to go fishing. The success of the program is evident by the participation level.

“It’s not uncommon to find 50 to 75 people at the stocking site along the Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam waiting for the truck,” Engeling said. “A lot of folks print out the list of stocking dates and tack it up on the fridge or bulletin board, but it’s important to remember to check our Web page before making plans because the dates do change. The online schedule is updated constantly and is the most accurate schedule.”

Engeling said in most cases the truck will be at the delivery site by noon, depending on how far it needs to travel. The posted dates are the days the trout are available to the general public. Many sites offer special events for youth prior to allowing the public to fish, and those are usually the day before. On this matter, folks should check with local parks and recreation departments or water authorities for additional information.

While most sites get an annual dose of between 1,000-2,000 trout, popular fishing holes like the Canyon Tailrace receive multiple stockings from December through March. As the only fishable place in Texas where rainbow trout can survive during the summer months, the Canyon Tailrace will get about 18,000 fish.

For the same reason, special regulations have been implemented along a 10-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River below the tailrace. For additional details about the special harvest regulations and the location of that river stretch, please consult the Outdoor Annual Guide. The special regulations are not in effect in the area immediately below Canyon Lake Dam. There, as in other Texas waters, the daily bag limit is five trout and there is no minimum length.

And for the first time in many years, Texas anglers do not need a special trout fishing stamp in order to fish, however a freshwater fishing package is required. Youth ages 16 and younger and anyone fishing from the bank in state parks are exempt from the fishing package requirement.

Catching these hungry fish can be easy, making the experience ideal for both newcomers to fishing and to kids, according to Engeling. “The fish will bite almost immediately after stocking and typically will take a variety of baits, from corn or soft bait to flies and even small spinnerbaits. You can have success with anything you cast at them, which makes them attractive to use for youth fishing events.”